Into the Woods

As a storyteller Sondheimpolarisesaudiences worldwide. You either love him, or hate him, are spellbound or bored to tears, adore or hate his thematic repetitive phrases, are touched by or turned off by his plots. None more so, perhaps, than Into the Woods. Act One combines a mish-mash of several fairy stories which culminate in the endings we know so well from childhood. Act Two – so all your dreams have come true? Here is what happens in reality! Life, once all our dreams come true, doesn’t always mean living happily ever after.

Having previously watched several works created by Director Aaron Tindell, I had high expectations that this would not be a pedestrian version of the Sondheim masterpiece and from the first glimpse of the set as I entered the theatre, I knew I was not going to be disappointed. The space (in a previous life a boiler house for the water pumping station) had been left with naked brick walls and had three revolving set pieces on the stage. It was a very understated, surreal and ethereal set. There were no wings – the entire space between the exterior walls made up the stage. It pulsated with energy, ready to tell a great story. Cast entering/exiting the playing area before or after their scenes, took on a slow mystical timeless ballet which was both lyrical and mesmerizing – a fairytale rhythm of its own.

The cast is a real ensemble for a true ensemble piece. While all were strong, Richard Neame as The Wolf, Jane Horder as The Witch and Glen Pickering as Rapunzel’s Prince were standouts. Most moving opening night moments were Jane Horder singing to Rapunzel “StayWith Me” and a surprising moment between The Baker (Craig Rodgers) and The Mysterious Man (Anthony Cotton) in Act Two. Emma Leon as The Baker’s Wife took Act Two honours and will steal the show as the season matures. When this company all sings together in full voice, it is magnificent. This cast is chock full of real singers.

They are backed by an excellent orchestra under the Direction of Andrew Christie.

There were very few negatives for me: I didn’t understand the costume brief and I found the constant presence of the child Narrator very distracting, although the part was played competently by the young Cole Johnston. And I would have enjoyed more movement at the end of both acts and perhaps not “live” props which brought a panto element into what otherwise were intelligent comedic moments.

North Shore’s production of Into the Woods is classy, clever and challenging.

Pauline Vella

Images: Jack (Hamish Mouat) and Milky White; Rapunzel (Kirsten Robinson) and Cinderella (Vanessa Preston) and The Baker's Wife (Emma Leon). Photography: Nicky Vella.